On the Difference of Scoring in Speech in Babble Tests

Abstract

Hearing is a complex ability that extends beyond the peripheral auditory system. A speech in noise/competition test is a valuable measure to include in the test battery when attempting to assess an individual's "hearing". The present study compared syllable vs. word scoring of the Greek Speech-in-Babble (SinB) test with 22 native Greek speaking children (6-12-year-olds) diagnosed with auditory processing disorder (APD) and 33 native Greek speaking typically developing children (6-12-year-olds). A three-factor analysis of variance revealed greater discriminative ability for syllable scoring than word scoring, with significant interactions between group and scoring. Two-way analysis of variance revealed SinB word-based measures (SNR50%) were larger (poorer performance) than syllable-based measures for both groups of children. Cohen's d values were larger for syllable-based mean scores compared to word-based mean scores between groups for both ears. These findings indicate that the type of scoring affects the SinB's resolution capacity and that syllable scoring might better differentiate typically developing children and children with APD.

Keywords: Greek Speech-in-Babble test; auditory processing disorder; cognition; hearing; speech in noise tests; syllable-based scoring; word-based scoring.

Figure 1

(SinB RE) Means and 95% error bars for SinB word (bright circles rectangles) and syllable-based scores (dark circles) for control and APD (Auditory Processing Disorder) children, right ear. Cohen’s d values refer to the effect size between typically developing and APD (Auditory Processing Disorder) groups for word and syllable-based scores.

Figure 2

(SinB LE) Means and 95% error bars for SinB word (bright circles rectangles) and syllable-based scores (dark circles) for control and APD (Auditory Processing Disorder) children, left ear. Cohen’s d values refer to the effect size between typically developing and APD (Auditory Processing Disorder) groups for word and syllable-based scores.